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Before he returned to the 49ers last week, Aldon Smith spoke with NFL officials and made a commitment.

His pledge? “Making sure this doesn’t happen again,” Smith said.

On Tuesday, Smith met with the media for the first time since Sept. 22 and spoke optimistically about his ability to avoid off-the-field trouble after a five-week stay in an in-patient rehab facility to address a substance-abuse problem.

Smith, who returned from the undisclosed out-of-state facility Wednesday, smiled often and appeared at ease during a five-minute meeting with a media horde at his locker. He noted his work to address his personal issues isn’t over.

“I’m getting there,” Smith said. “Every day is just a step closer to getting where I want to be.”

Smith, who was activated to the 53-man roster last week, said his stint in rehab was a necessary step after he was arrested for DUI on Sept. 20. It marked Smith’s second DUI arrest since January 2012. Smith also faces three felony weapons charges stemming from a party at his house in June 2012.

“Of course I didn’t want to be away from the sport I love, but it was good for me to get away and get my mind together,” Smith said. “And get to the positive spot I need to be at.”

Smith participated in his first practice Monday, but was noncommittal about playing Sunday when the 49ers host the Panthers at Candlestick Park. He mentioned the need to continue to get his personal life back together. Smith has an infant son, Aulis.

“That’s crossing my mind,” Smith said of playing Sunday. “I’m just taking it one day at a time. Getting back here. Being around the guys. And just getting my life back at home. I’ve got a 10-month-old son, so I’m doing the father thing. So I’m just trying to make sure I’m all ready to go.”

Smith’s teammates believe he’ll be ready to play Sunday — at least from a physical standpoint. Outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks noted he was winded during an individual drill on Monday, but Smith appeared unaffected.

Smith said he was touched by the outpouring of support he received from family, friends, fans and the organization when he was away. Inside linebacker Patrick Willis said Smith was greeted enthusiastically upon his return.

“I think the biggest thing is when we walked into this locker room the other morning the guys were like ‘Aldon!’ Yelling his name. Joking with him,’” Willis said. “I know inside it must have felt good for him to know … to have those kind of teammates. Know that guys care about you that much. It makes you want to come back and do that much more right.”

Said Smith: “Being away from football — and being away from my teammates — … that’s difficult. But it worked out. I was able to get away and clear my head.”